Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-12-08

1 ,umers must return their share OF this ncreas-
ID price 10 the tradcsman. think Il may be
'airly assumed that large proportion Of the
sheep owned by the farmers Throughout the
country are found In small hocks number.
| my FROM y 70 90, the duty ON the grade
/ II imported wool which these sheep Weld
Is ten cents each pound II 40 the value OF
thirty cents or less and twelve cents II the
| salue more than thirty cents. Ii the liberal
estimate Of six pounds be allowed for each
ieece, the duty thereon would be 10 or ~
/ rents and this may be taken Ms the utmost en-.
hanccment Of Its price to the farmer by reason
| II this duty. Eighteen dollars would thus
! represent the increased price Of the wool from
q sheep, and SB dollars that from the wool of
70 sheep, and at present values, this addition
would amount TO about onc-third Of It's
price. II upon this scale, the farmer receives
this or less tariff price, the wool leaves hs
hands charged with p,eciscly that STUN, which
| IN all Its changes will adhere To !, until II
| caches the consumer when manufactured
into cloth and other goods and material for
use Its cost Is not only increased 10 the cN-
tent of the farmers tariff profit but further
sum has been added for the benefit Of the
manufacturer under the operation Of other
tariff laws. In the meantime, thu day arrives
when the farmer finds II necessary TO purchase
WOODEN goods and material to clolhe himself
and family for the winter When he faces
the tradesman for that purpose,
he discovers that he Is obliged
creased prices his tariff profit ON the wool he
| sold and which then perhaps lies before him In
manufactured form, but that he must add a
! considerable sum thereto to meet further In
crease IN cost, caused by tariff duty ON the
| manufacture. Thus In the end he Is aroused
| to the fact that he has paid upon moderate
purchase as result OF the tariff scheme which
when he sold his wool seemed so profitable on
| Increase In price more than sufficient to sweep
| away all the tariff he received upon all the
wool he produced aud sold When the number
Of farmers engaged IN wool-raislngi Is compared
with all the farmers In the country aud the
small proportion they bear to our population Is
| considered; when II Is made apparent that In
the ease of large part Of those who own
,aacp the benefit of the present tariff on wool
Is iiii.Snry, and above all when u must be con
caused by such tarill becomes harden upou
those with moderate means and the poor, thv,
employed and unemployed, the sick aud well
aud the young aud old, aud that II constitutes
a tax which with relentless grasp is fastened
upon the clothing Of every man, woman
aud child IN the land, reasons are sug-
gcsted, why the removal or reduction OF this
duty should be included In revision OF our
tariff laws.
In speaking Of the increased cost to the CON
sumcr Of our home manufactures resulting
from duty laid upon imported articles Of the
same description, the fact Is not overlooked
that competition among our domestic produc-
ers sometimes has the effect Of keeping the
price Of their products below the highest limit
allowed by such duty. But II Is notorious that
this competition Is too often stranglcd 10y com.
binatlons quite prevalent at this time and ir'N
qucntly called trusts, which have for their oh
feet the regulation Of the supply and price OF
commodities made aud sold by members OF the
combination. The people can hardly hope for
any consideration IN the operation OF these sci
fish Schemcrs. II, however, In the absence Of
such combination, a healthy and free compcti-
ton reduces the prices OF any particular duti.
able article Of home production below the
limt which 1t might otherwise reach under
our tariff laws, and VI With such reduced prices
Its manufacture continues to thrive, II IL en-
trcly evident that one thing has been dscOv-
cred and should be carefully scrutinZed In an
effort to reduce taxation. The necessity OF
combination to maintain the price Of amy
commudity to the tariff point furnishes proof
that some one Is willing to accept lower prices
for such commodity and that such prices are
rrmuneratire and later prices produced by
competition prove the same thing. Thus,
where either of these condition exists. case
would seem to BE- presented for an easy ~.
tucti0n OF taxation. The considerations
which have been presented touching our tnrilf
laws ARE Intended only Ia enforce an earnest
Recommendation that the surplus revenues VI
the government be prevented by the rednc-
ton Of our customs duties, and at the same
time to emphasize suggestion that In accom-
pllshing this purpose we may discharge dou-
Die duty TO our people by granting to them
measure of relief from tariff taxation In quar-
tiers where II Is most needed and from sources
where II can be most fairly and Justify nc
corded. Nor can the representation made OF
such consideration be with any degree OF
fairness regarded as evidence OF unfrlendli-
ness toward our manufacturing interests, or
any lack Of appreciation OF their value and
Importance These interests constitute a
leading and most substantial element Of our
national greatness. and furnish the prou
proof of our country's progress. But II In.
the emergency that presses upon us our
manufacturers are asked to surrender some
thing for the public good and to avert disas-
ter, their patriotism rs well as grateful re-
cognition OF advantages already afforded
should lead them to willing cooperation
No demand Is made that they shall forego all
benefits OF governmental regard, but they can
not fall to be admonshed of their duty, az
well as their enlightened selt-nterest and
safety, when they are reminded OF the fact
that financial panic and collapse to which the
present condition tends afford no greater
shelter or protection OF our manufacturers
than to our other important enterprises. Op
portunty for safe, careful and deliberate re-
form IL now offered, and none of us should be
unmndful Of time when an abused and
irritated people, needless OF those who have
resisted timely and reasonable relief, may
insist upon radical and sweeping rectlfcation
Of their wrongs. The difficulty attending
wise and fair revision Of our tarif laws Is not
understimated II will require on the part Of
congress great labor and care. aud especially
broad and national contemplation OF the sub
iect aud patriotic disregard Of such local and
selfish claims as are unreasonable and reck-
less of the welfare OF the entire country.
Under our present laws, more than four
thousand articles are subject to duty. Many
q. a In, nuntN fItr
manufactures, and many are hardly worth
attention as subjects OF revenue. consid-
cradle reduction can be made In the aggre-
gate by add ne them to the free list. The
taylt IN Of uxurc5 prese ITS no textures VI
hardsaips, but 10 necessdres OF life used and
consumed by all the pcJple, the duty upon
whlci adds to tue cost OIL living In every home,
should be greatly chcapened. The radical
reduction of the duties imposed upon raw
material used In manufactures or its free
importation Is of course an Important factor
In any effort to reduce the price OF these ne
cessaries. II would not relieve them from
the increased cost caused by the tariff on such
material but tue manufactured prJdu i being
thus cheapened that part OF the tain now laid
upon such product rs compensation to our
manufacturers for the present price OF raw
material could he accordingly modified. Such
reductions, or free importation would serve
beside to largely reduce the revenue. II Is
NOT apparent HUN suCu u CHuuZc Cbu au1
Injurious effect upon our manufactu ers.
On the contrary 1t would appear
TO give them better chance
In foreign markets with the manufacturers OF
other countries who cheaper their wares by
free material. Thus our people might have
the opportunity of extending their sales be-
You'd the limits Of home consumption. saving
them from the depression, interruption In
business and loss caused by a glutted domes-
tic market and aifordlng their employees
more certain and steady labor with Its result
Ing quiet and contentment. The question
thus lmperatlyely presented for solution
should be approached In spirit higher than
partlsanship and considered In the light OF
that regard for patriotic duty which should
characterize tie action Of those entrusted
with tie wealth Of a confdlng people. But
the obligation to declared party policy and
principle Il not wanting t. urge prompt and
effective action. Both Of the great political
parties now represented In the government
have, by repeated aud authoritative declara-
ton, condemned the condition OF our laws
which permits the collection from the people
of unnecessary revenue and have, In the
most so'enn manner promised as correction
and neither as citizens nor as partisans are
our countryman In mood TO condone the
deliberate violation Of those pledges.
Our progress toward wise conclusion will
not be improved by dwelling upon the theo-
rles Of protection and free trade. This savers